1,800 kg of banned plastic seized from Alappuzha market in Kerala

The district enforcement squad of the Local Self-Government department (LSGD) has seized 1,800 kg of banned single-use plastic products from Vazhichery market in Alappuzha municipality in Kerala. Prohibited plastic items, including straws, glasses and banana leaves, were confiscated from an establishment in the market during an inspection conducted on Wednesday.

Officials said that action would be taken against the shop owner under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and related rules, as well as the relevant sections of the Kerala Municipality Act. The seized plastic products were transferred to the municipality’s material Collection facility.

The squad also conducted inspections at various establishments within the municipal limits. Commercial establishments will be checked again to ensure that the instructions issued by the squad are being followed, said an official.

Inspections would continue in different parts of the district in the coming days, said officials.

Last month, the LSGD squad seized 317 kg of banned plastic products from various locations in Muthukulam grama panchayat in Alappuzha. It recommended imposing a fine of ₹30,000 on two establishments for possessing and selling banned plastic products.

Joint block development officer Bindu V. Nair, senior extension officer K.S. Vinod, Alappuzha municipal health wing official R. Rinosh, Suchitwa Mission representative M.B. Nishad, Pollution Control Board technical expert Gopakumar and others were part of the squad that conducted inspections at Vazhichery.